Good times for ex-militants in 2013

Next year, the Federal Government plans to spend over N88 billion on the Amnesty Programme, N16 billion more than what it is spending this year, raising concern in some quaters, writes LEKE SALAUDEEN

BY the time this year ends, the Federal Government is expected to have spent about N72billion on its Amnesty Programme for repentant Niger Delta militants. This is more than what it spends to deliver basic education to children.

Next year, it plans to spend more on the programme, largely because of a third phase, just approved by President Goodluck Jonathan. Over N88 billion will be sunk into the programme next year. Of this, 30,000 ex-militants will take home N23.6 billion as stipends. Another N35.4 billion will go into the re-integration of transformed ex-warlords. N3.699 is earmarked for what is described as ‘presidential amnesty programme’.

Three years ago, attacks ranging from theft to bombings to kidnappings pummelled oil production to as low as 500,000 barrels on some days. So, the government began spending hundreds of millions of dollars a year to maintain an uneasy calm in the oil-rich delta. Production is now back up to 2.6 million barrels daily of low-sulfur crude.

Another move government adopted to ‘buy’ peace in the region was to get the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to begin paying ex-militant leaders such as Mujahhid Dokubo-Asari to protect oil pipelines. Dokubo-Asari gets $9 million a year to pay his 4,000 former foot soldiers to protect the pipelines they once attacked.

Gen. Ebikabowei “Boyloaf” Victor Ben and Gen. Ateke Tom get $3.8 million a year apiece to have their men guard pipelines. Government “Tompolo” Ekpmupolo maintains a $22.9 million-a-year contract to do the same.

But, oil theft appears to be on the rise again. Shell estimates that more than 150,000 barrels of oil are stolen daily.

Last month, President Goodluck Jonathan approved a third phase for the Amnesty Programme, a development which analysts say mean the country may commit millions of dollars to the programme next year.

The Special Adviser to the President on Research and Documentation, Oronto Douglas, believes there is no better option than continuing to ‘buy’ peace.

He said: “If it’s too huge, what are the alternatives?”

Through the programme, 26, 358 former Niger Delta militants have been trained in various vocational courses both at home and abroad.

The Jonathan administration claims that the amnesty proclamation is the sincerest , boldest and most profound effort by any government of Nigeria since 1960 to address the agitation for fairness, equity and development in the oil- rich Niger Delta. The successful management of the post-amnesty programme, said government, has ensured the return of peace, safety, security and sustainable development to the region.

But some analysts have disagreed with the government’s position. To them, the programme is selective and not in the interest of the majority of the people of the Niger Delta. They claim that the programme is only benefiting a few people. They believe part of the money could have been used in setting up industries to create jobs for the unemployed youths in the region and Nigeria at large.

The Co-ordinator, Ijaw Monitoring Group, Mr. Joseph Evah, said it has failed to address unemployment, under-development and bunkering.

Evah told The Nation that those who have completed their training in various vocations sponsored by the Presidential Amnesty Programme are roaming the streets because they have no jobs. He said sending the ex-militants for vocational training without planning for where to absorb them after training has made the programme useless.

Evah said: “The beneficiaries are becoming restive because the monthly allowances being paid them by government have stopped. If care is not taken, the youths in Niger Delta are likely to return to the creeks and foment trouble.”

According to him, the relative peace in the region endures because the militant leaders and some of their followers were favoured by the Amnesty Programme.

“But once the boys can no longer collect money from government, we will be back to square one in that region.

“Failure of the government to establish industries that would create employment opportunities for the graduates of the vocational courses and the teeming unemployed youths in the Niger Delta is one of the shortcomings of the Presidential Amnesty Programme. The youths resorted to carrying guns and distruption of oil companies operation because of lack of jobs, they have no means of livelihood and no shelter on their heads, whereas, the oil companies are mining crude oil worth billions of dollar every day from the region. In the process of oil exploitation, the farmlands, the rivers for fishing and the wells that serve as water supply for the people are polluted.

“Niger Delta is endowed with resources for the establishment of industries. If there is any region that should have monopoly of industries in this country, it is Niger Delta. We have the refineries located in the region. The bye-products of oil can be used in production of textiles, plastic materials, like chairs and foam. Commercial fishing is possible, given the proximity of the region to the sea. If properly utilised, Nigeria can provide the fish need of the West African countries. But all these potentials have not been translated into fortunes. No single effort was made by the Presidential Amnesty to create a single industry in the volatile region.

“I am sure government has spent nothing less than $1 billion on the training of the ex- militants, with a view to reintegrating them. If government has used $500 million to set up industries, the situation would have been different. The economy of the Niger Delta region would have changed. The living condition of the people would have improved. What we need in that region is massive industrialisation that would impact positively on the economic well-being of the people.”

Evah said the programme did not benefit all youths in the region. About 26,000 have benefited .

“The programme should not discriminate against those who did not go to school. It should not benefit only militants but every able body in the Niger Delta. Those carrying guns are less than one per cent. You cannot rule out that those without guns would not spark one day.

“The money is there but the government is not spending it on human resources and economic development of the region,” he said.

Public Affairs analyst Emmanuel Aluede believes the amnesty programme is flawed, illegal and not in the best interest of the majority of the people of Niger Delta. Even though he believes the programme is necessary, he insists that the huge investment approach of the amnesty programme is not in the best interest of Nigerians. He frowned at the way the programme has been implemented to cost several billions of naira to benefit a few people that have committed crimes against the state.

“If you take a look at the programme partners, you will notice no participants from the developed nations are involved, despite the fact that these nations are the biggest contributors for development aid and grant. These developed nations will be better placed to help groom militants to acquire skills. No disrespect to the other 21 nations involved, the majority, in my view, are not better than Nigeria, if we had leaders who put the peoples’ interest before self interest.

“From information gathered from the various overseas training programmes, several hundreds of millions in US dollars must have been spent. I won’t be surprised if the government expenditure is beyond the $1 billion for the security stabilisation in the Niger Delta through disarmament, demobilisation, rehabilitation and sustainable re-integration of ex-militants as pre-condition for medium and long term development.

“Let’s assume that 50,000 will benefit from the programme at the end of its implementation. Compare this number to the total number of youths in the Niger Delta amount to several millions who remain law abiding despite unemployment. A good percentage of them have at least School Certificate or university degrees. Where is justice, fairness and equity in this programme by leaving behind law abiding youths, whilst a handful who chose the act of militancy to bring their message of marginalisation to the attention of the Federal Government are moving forward?

“The over $1 billion to be expended on the programme would have been of greater value to the people of Niger Delta and Nigeria, if it was used to upgrade our higher institutions both across Niger Delta and Nigeria.”

On the pipeline security contracts awarded to Niger Delta militant leaders, Aluede said the contract conflicts with the government’s policy of disarming the militants. The same government is empowering them as custodians for the security of the nation’s pipelines through lucrative contracts totalling $49.6 million annually. Another conflict here is that government has contracted out the responsibilities of the nation’s security agencies where several billions of naira is invested annually.

“The award of pipelines security contracts to private entities puts the nation’s security at risk. It would have been better and more cost effective if a special military task force was set up to deliver a more efficient and effective role. Militants who choose to remain as such could be provided proper military training and discipline to take up created positions within the new Special Task Force that is made up of personnel from all our security forces”, Aluede added.

But Evah did not see anything wrong in awarding the pipelines security contract to the militant chiefs.

A collosal waste

Former Minister of Petroleum Prof. tam David-West said “the (amnesty) programme is good but it is being executed wrongly.”

This is why little has been achieved, he said.

“ The government is busy throwing money all over the place as if that would make it work. You don’t buy peace with money. All the government needs to do is to talk to the militants at the level they understand. If you induced them with money, you are creating problem. Some of the militants told me government has stopped giving them money as they used to do. Government spoiled them with money and created more problems among the youth in the Niger Delta.

“The programme has benefitted very few in the Niger Delta. Some of them are more comfortable because of the largesse from government. Imagine Asari Dokubo collecting $9 million annually in the name of protecting the oil pipelines. A university professor earns N5 million annually.

“There can be no development until the fundamental problem of degradation of Niger Delta is addressed. To me it’s a colossal waste.

He said taking the ex-militants abroad for training is stupid.

David-West said: “Taking them to foreign countries for vocational training is a stupid thing to do. Why don’t you organise training programmes within the Niger Delta, get the trainers from abroad to do the training on ground. Some of them have never being to Lagos, now you are sending them to Europe and Middle East. Look at the cost implication of sending thousands of militants abroad for training. Training is good but it’s being done wrongly.”

He said the President cannot buy peace.

“I have said it before that government believes it can buy peace with money. I can’t imagine giving out $49.6 million to the so called militant leaders for a job that could be done by a joint military task force. The best the government could do is to incorporate the militants into the task force. We have done it before. The military with the support of the militants have policed the pipelines and went after those engaged in oil bunkering. Some of these militant leaders have no followership. The contract is like buying goods you have not seen.”

Life after training

The programme has entrepreneurship scheme for 350 ex-militants in the Niger Delta.

Spokesman of the programme Daniel Alabrah told our correspondent that the scheme was designed to equip and prepare the amnesty beneficiaries to become self reliant and employers of labour.

Alabrah said rather than leave them idle after completing their vocational training, a three-week intensive entrepreneurship programme was designed for them preparatory to commencing their own business.

He added: “For those in this pilot post-training entrepreneurship scheme, we are about to put them through a process where they can create their own small business places. We will brand it, give them branded equipment, seed money and see them become owners of small businesses scattered around the Niger Delta or any place they choose to do business in Nigeria.”

Alabrah stated that there would be a 12-month monitoring and evaluation period for the beneficiaries when they were expected to maintain log books and monthly reporting to see if they were growing in the business. This, he further explained, would ensure that they go into profitable ventures without nursing the fear of failure.

“We are collaborating with some banks to ensure proper funding and monitoring of the scheme. Beneficiaries will not be given cash but they will be required to state their business location, which will then be paid for and properly equipped with the tools or items for their chosen, he said.

Apart from the entrepreneurship scheme, Alabrah disclosed that the Amnesty Programme is collaborating with government agencies to absorbing them. About 130 have been employed in private and public sectors.

He said Jonathan has approved the inclusion of 3,642 ex-Niger Delta militants in the Presidential Amnesty Programme bringing the number of the former agitators undergoing reformation under the programme to 30,000.

I AM A COMPLETE IGBO MAN, BUT I MUST SAY WITHOUT ANY FEAR OR FAVOUR THAT BIG INDUSTRIES SHOULD BE BUILT FOR THEM PLUS INCREASE IN THEIR ALLOWANCES.THEY HAVE SUFFERED A LOT AND JESUS CHRIST DECIDED TO BLESS THEM WITH THE OIL. NIGER DELTA, I WANT US TO JOIN HANDS AND FIGHT FOR REPUBLIC OF BIAFRA-THE FORMER EASTERN REGION WHICH U WERE PART OF BEFORE THE SIX GEO-POLITICAL STRUCTURE WHICH WAS BASICALLY DONE TO DIVIDE AND RULE ALL OF US.

TOBBY777

Young nigerian graduates are parading our streets searching for jobs which are not forthcoming and the government is spending 88 billion naira to maintain ex criminals who are supposed to be in jail. I am not against amnesty but i am totally against its implementations. Amnesty in my thinking was to allow bulldozer access to those areas and provide the people drinkable water, good hospitals, quality education, good road network and not appeasing some criminals, a move that will force some other persons to get involved in crime. This amnesty is a disaster waiting to happen. What will happen tomorrow when a government that does not believe in giving out money to criminals takes over power? Wont these group start problems again? The government should use this money to bring development to the people. I WEEP FOR MY COUNTRY.

Naija4Chage

My brother I have always maintained that the intent of the Niger Delta militancy was not really what they said they were fighting.Those things they claimed they were fighting for are still there, but they are quiet and happy.Why? The criminals are getting their share of the national cake and as long as that happens, to hail with their ppl and the development they claimed they were fighting for. Too much insincerity in our country

collins

U SEE Y USA DONT NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORIST, ITS TO AVOID THINGS LIKE THIS. NIGERIA IS DOOMED, YOU PAY CRIMINALS TO WATCH OVER YOUR OIL AND WE STILL HEAR OF THEFT ALONG THE OIL LINES, GEJ SHOULD FINISH AND GO, HE IS CLUELESS.

collins

Former Minister of Petroleum Prof. tam David-West said “the (amnesty) programme is good but it is being executed wrongly.” SOME THING CANNOT BE GOOD AND WRONG, ITS EITHER GOOD OR WRONG DUMMY

collins

WITH 88 BILLION WE CAN HAVE A MINI REFINERY WORKING IN THE NIGER DELTA AND 30,000 PERSONS WILL BE EMPLOYED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY.
WITH 88 BILLION WE CAN OPEN A TEXTILE FACTORY AND HAVE 20,000 PERSONS WORKING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY.
WITH 88 BILLION WE CAN OPEN A BIG CASSAVA PROCESSING PLANT.
WITH 88 BILLION DELTA STEEL WILL FUNCTION AND EMPLOY US ALL.
BUT SEE HOW THEY WASTE THE WHOLE THING, I REMEMBER BODE GEORGE STILL HAS 80 BILLION IN HIS ACCOUNT, EVEN THOUGH HE WENT TO JAIL FOR ONLY 2 YEARS. WE ARE A JOKE IN NIGERIA. I HATE THE GOVERNMENT

collins

Sanniafyah, DONT SPEAK LIKE A DUMMY, THAT MONEY IS GOING TO A FEW, WAHT ABOUT THOSE WHO KEPT THEIR CALM AND DID NOT JOIN MILITANCY

collins

Sanniafyah, DONT SPEAK LIKE A DUMMY, THAT MONEY IS GOING TO A FEW, WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO KEPT THEIR CALM AND DID NOT JOIN MILITANCY

sylver charles

The amnesty was never meant for the benefit of the Niger delta ..it was perfectly design to ensure calm while the exploitation continues…..people like Henry Oka saw it and back out..the amnesty programme is huge continuous HOSTAGE SITUATION… Asari Dokubo and his renegades …..you keep paying them to watch the pipeline…well there is nothing watch..they simply pocket the billions and show off every night at port Harcourt nite club…the pipeline can only be attacked if you stop paying them…i hail you nija.

chijioke kenneth

please can someone tell me where they are selling the forms for new members of millitants? I want to enrole please peers..The job is so lucrative
I think that the easiest way to make money in this country now is to be violent and fight the govt. By then, you will be gainfully employed with a lot compasation in the form of Ammnesty……………..Nigeria is a failed state, we reward criminals while our graduates are romming the streets

we should remember that what we are investing in this persons is the result of peace in that area that produce the budget

julius

Really, very soon they will be blaming IBB for corruption, this was the style IBB used to rule us for eight years buying everyone through institutionalised corruption, divide and rule and the same people
will be castigating him, is this how Nigeria is going to develope? Everyone is collecting their shares and look the other way.God helps us.

Elueme

As much as I appreciate the president for this temporary efforts to ensure peace in the meantime, it will be a disaster if they refuse to cap on the relative peace in the region to implement people’s oriented projects .Projects that will benefit the peace loving Niger deltans who though believed in the struggle for emmacipation but chose to refrain from militancy.. I commend the president and I will categorically say he hasn’t failed us in the Niger delta. He is a detribalised Nigerian and above all the president of Nigeria and as such I am not expecting any special favour from him as a Niger deltan but what we are asking is the full and sincere implementation of the amnesty deal so afflictions do not arise the second time.

Akin Wale

THOSE BOYS ARE LAZY AND USELESS, NOTHING GOOD CAN COME OUT OF THAT PLACE, EVEN THEIR OIL IS A CURSE. LET HIM KEEP SPOILING THEM, I BELIEVE HE’S INDIRECTLY DOING THINGS FOR HIS PEOPLE. IF ABOKI GETS TO THE OFFICE HE WILL DO THE SAME THING FOR BOKO HARAM

WHY IS EVERY BODY’S ON MILITANT’S SHITS? JST KEEP UR CONCERNS TO UR SELVES, U ALL RLLY THINKS D MILITANTS ARE TRULY GETIN THESE MONEY UH? WEL I WISH TO SAY WE ARE NOT, THOSE ON TOP WOULD NOT LET US, ESPECIALLY THE S.A TO THE PRESIDENT ON AMNESTY HON KINGSLEY IKUKU, HE IS A THIEF, HE IS WORST THAN WE D MILITANTS, WE WNT EFCC TO INVESTIGATE HIM FOR US OR ELSE THERE SHALL BE FRESH HOSTILITIES,